Some Strats are for Show -- This One's for Players!

The Fender Deluxe Players Stratocaster revises what was formerly known as the "Super Strat." This model retains the fit, finish, and specs of the acclaimed Super Strat, but provides significant upgrades to the electronics onboard to make it an even more versatile axe. As the name suggests, the Deluxe Players Strat was designed with the true player in mind, and seeks to deliver a great playing experience that will only grow sweeter with age.

Strat-To-Spec

The body of the Fender Deluxe Players is made from carved ash in the classic Stratocaster shape, finished with a polyester coat. A 4-bolt neck plate joins it to the neck, which is carved from a single piece of quarter-sawn maple, and set with a maple fingerboard and 21 medium jumbo frets. In your hands you'll feel the modern "C" shape that most players find the most comfortable and fast. The fingerboard radius is 12 inches, while the 25.5-inch scale length stays standard to classic Strat design specs.

Upgraded Electronics Throughout

The defining feature of the Fender Deluxe Players Stratocaster is its onboard electronics. You'll discover a world of rich and complex tone in the recently upgraded American-made Vintage Noiseless pickups in all three positions. The "vintage" aspect of the tone lies in its exceptionally crisp and transient-rich sound, with a sparkle and shine that evokes the Stratocasters of old -- minus the hum and noise characteristic of pickups found on vintage instruments!

Seven Different Pickup Combinations

Even more tonal versatility is assured with the wiring of these pickups in a series that allows for seven different combinations! With this Strat, a solid amp, and your FX rig, you could literally go on discovering new tones forever.

Gold-Plated Sophistication

The hardware is rock-solid throughout this Strat. Gold-plated Fender/Reliance vintage-style tuning machines add a unique degree of elegance. Also dressed in gold, the 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo lets you bend notes to your heart's content while keeping an even string lie and solid intonation.

Product Description

The Deluxe Players Stratocaster is a revised version of the former Super Strat. Upgraded with American-made Vintage Noiseless pickups, this guitar not only sounds great but with a 12 in. neck radius and medium jumbo frets it's a workhorse of a guitar. And, don't forget about the push button switch that gives the player seven different pickup combinations!

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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Nice axe."

Sound:
The noiseless pickups on this guitar are sweet, and completely noise-free, without squashing the famous "strat edge." I play classic rock, blues, and country, and this guitar fits right in. Each of the five settings is noticeably different, and on the 4 and 5 positions, when you push that button to combine with the bridge pickup, it sounds sweet and round. I use a class A 15 watt "Crate palomino" and a rat pedal turned down low for a little punch. I love the quack on position 2.
Feature:
I am not a heavy dive-bomber, but everything on this guitar is top quality, I would change to locking tuners someday, but not a big deal right now. The finish is beautiful in the sapphire blue, and I have the maple neck. The gold hardware looks rich and striking. The neck is a fatter, flatter-radius, which feels beefier than the other three strats I have owned. In person, this thing is gorgeous to look at.
Ease of Use:
It's easy to get your sound by flipping the switches and pushing the button on positions 4 and 5. It has a little fatter sound without taking away from the classic strat sounds. For me there was no learning curve, if you could play your guitar yesterday, you can play this one today. This guitar feels solid and strong.
Quality:
This thing was barely out of tune when I opened the box. After 20 minutes, I had the set up just right. Fender does a world class favor by including precise directions on how to set up the action for best playing. This should last me 20 years or more, you can tell that this is great quality work. It is as good as the three American strats I had in the past
Value:
This is a Fender, and well worth the price listed.
Manufacturer Support:
I give them a "10" because the best support is an instrument that is well made, and needs none. Zzounds on the other hand, has a great support team and has made my day by offering their payment plan.
The Wow Factor:
Since I have had a number of good guitars, including an American deluxe, and an American standard tele, you would think this is no big deal. It is a big deal to me when you can have the "cleans" you get from the oh-so-quiet pickup system. I was and still am, very excited to have this guitar, it is very appealing in looks and sound.
Overall:
This is a very good guitar at a very good price, I'm keepin' it. I would replace it if it was stolen or lost. You can spend more, but will you get more? The difference between this and more expensive instruments is not worth the difference in price to me.

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"Don't my a standard, buy this!!"

Sound:
I've owned the Deluxe Player for about a year now and will say that for cleans it sounds amazing. Bridge pickup twangs like a strat should. The middle pickup is great for leads and the neck pickup is very smooth and glassy. It handles distortion ok. This wouldn't be my guitar of choice for hard rock or metal though.
Feature:
The deluxe player comes with a average quality gig bag. Not a deluxe bag but not a cheap $15 bag either. It will easily transport the guitar without the worry of damage. It also comes with Alan wrenches for the bridge and truss rod, tremelo bar and an extra spring. The guitar also has a button that will activate the bridge pickup from any switch selection so you can utilize the bridge and neck pickup together and all three pickups. This feature is usefull and adds more tone availability. Being mainly a Les Paul player, I found it an easy transition to this guitars neck due to the 12" radius. This was a plus for me.
Ease of Use:
Mine came with a fairly good set up out of the box. Much better than most other guitars I've owned. For me changing the pickguard on my transparent blonde was a must. It was a pretty simple task although you won't find a pickguard anywhere already pre-drilled for the additional button. I just used the original as a template and drilled a 3/8" hole in the new guard myself. Glueing the button to the pickguard will also need to be done.
Quality:
I can't give enough praise here. This Mexican strat was in my opinion higer quality than my Highway One. I've had no issues with it at all. Frets are level, no sharp edges and electronics work flawlessly. Not something that you cans say for most sub- $800 guitars.
Value:
I feel this guitar is worth the price. $100 over a standard strat and you get highly upgraded pickups,vintage tuners, an ash body vs. alder and the cool spagetti logo is much cooler than the standard fat logo too (IMO).
Manufacturer Support:
I've never had to deal with Fender in reguards to this guitar but I did once have an issue with a vibro champ amp that I bought new. After a few months sound would cut in and out. I called them and they directed me to a authorized service center near me. The service center verified the problem, kept the amp and Fender shipped a new one to my door within a weeks time. This isn't the norm. They will most likely only do this if the item is more cost effective to replace than to fix but I was very happy with their resolve.
The Wow Factor:
The deluxe player is a cool alternative to a standard strat. The transparent colors look great and it's easily customizable. I've recieved a lot of great comments from people on my transparent blond when I changed the pickguard to white 3 ply.
Overall:
This guitar will go to the grave with me! Enough said!

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